Prevention of Heart Disease in Women
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US for both men and women. In the US, heart disease claims about half a million lives every year. Women about age 55 and with a family history are at greater risk of developing the disease.
Here are some practical tips that can help reduce your risks for heart disease:
* Know your blood pressure and keep it under control. Physical activity, a healthy diet, and medications as prescribed by your doctor all help control blood pressure.
* Exercise regularly.
* Don’t smoke.
* Get tested for diabetes and if you have it, keep it under control. The adult-onset type (NIDDM) has been associated with heart disease. Eating healthily, keeping an ideal weight, and regular exercise all contribute to prevent diabetes.
* Know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and keep them under control. Too much cholesterol can form plaques in the walls of your blood vessels, and lead to heart disease and hypertension. Triglycerides, likewise, can cause hardening of the arteries.
* Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
* Maintain a healthy weight. Sixty percent of adults in the US are obese. To maintain an ideal weight, eat less fatty food, exercise regularly, and drink water instead of sugary drinks.
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